City Council Committee -
Community Improvement and Crime Prevention

November 30, 2005 Meeting Minutes

PLACE: South Hall, Civic Auditorium, 525 N. Center Street

ATTENDANCE:

Committee
Councilmember Rebecca Nabors, Chair
Councilmember Steve Bestolarides, Alternate (absent)

Staff
Gary Giovanetti, Vice Mayor
Dennis Smallie, City Manager’s Office
Alicia Duer, City Manager’s Office
Jamie Turner, Library Services
Adolfo Cruz, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Susan Gregory, Public Works Department
Susan Krietemeyer, Public Works Department
Tony Restuccia, Police Department
Jim Ballard, Police Department
Ron Girard, Police Department
Steve Thomas, Police Department
Carolyn Ragsdale, Police Department
Brice Hammerstein, Police Department
Karen Daly, Police Department
Cathy Hudlin, Police Department

Others
Susan Guzman, San Joaquin County Probation
Ana Andrade, San Joaquin County Probation
Carol Hadley, Concerned Citizen
James Jones, Concerned Citizen
Larry Angle, Concerned Citizen
Rich Bodendorfer, Concerned Citizen
Lynnette Hasan-Marshall, Concerned Citizen
Rudy Hurtado, Concerned Citizen
Margaret Noah, Concerned Citizen
Armando Rios, Concerned Citizen
Robert Vargas, Concerned Citizen
Everett Moss, Concerned Citizen
Elizabeth and William Ginn, Concerned Citizens
Joti Bolina, Concerned Citizen
Pat Carido, Concerned Citizen
Susan Eggman, Concerned Citizen
Lessie Johnson, Concerned Citizen
Terry House, Concerned Citizen
Harry Montgomery, Concerned Citizen
Bernice Haynes, Concerned Citizen
Latosha Walden, Concerned Citizen
Sara Williamson, Concerned Citizen

Committee Deliberations

Steve Thomas, who is an auto-theft investigator from the Police Department, stated he was recently assigned to the Auto Theft Reduction Committee, which determined this anti-theft device could be used as a tool in the current fight against auto thefts occurring citywide.  The device is not a total solution to auto theft, but merely a deterrent, causing thieves to simply move on to another vehicle which is easier to break into.  The committee contacted Winner International,  which manufactures The Club, to explore the possibilities of using the device.  The committee is currently looking for funding sources which would either provide these devices at cost ($10 for the smaller model and $15 for the larger model), or provide them at no cost to citizens.  Once funding has been secured, the devices will initially be disseminated throughout a particular target neighborhood to determine whether  or not they are effective, before making them available to the general public.  As part of the long-term plan in the fight against auto theft, the Police Department is working in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Department and legislators at the state level to provide more severe penalties for car thieves, especially repeat offenders. 

Susan Guzman from San Joaquin County Probation discussed the current need for volunteers for their program, Community Accountability Prevention Services, under which the Youth Accountability Boards operate.  The program is used as a tool to divert low-level crimes, such as petty theft, shoplifting, battery, etc., out of the juvenile court system, and provide consequences and accountability for youth committing these crimes.  These are usually cases which Probation probably would not be able to send to court.  There are currently 14 panels in San Joaquin County, with seven of these panels located within the boundaries of Stockton.  Youth Accountability Boards are facilitated by a Probation Officer and are made up of community volunteers who are willing to work with these youth, usually from their own neighborhoods, who have made negative choices and need to get back on track.

The volunteer is contacted by Juvenile Probation and will conduct an investigation of the family to get some background on the offender.  He/she will then schedule a time for the minor and the family to report to the panel, who will decide the consequences for the offender.  The consequences always include community service, and can also include programs such as anger management, gang awareness, cultural diversity, and decision-making, which are all provided to the youth free of charge.  The minor cannot re-offend for six months, and if he/she does re-offend, Probation has an agreement with the District Attorney’s Office to file charges.  The program has an 85% success rate.  They are currently looking for volunteers to serve on a panel in the Kelley Drive/Hammer Lane area, but would also welcome volunteers to serve on any of the existing panels.  An additional component of this program is the Victim/Offender Reconciliation Program, which brings both parties together to discuss the crime and its effects.  Ms. Guzman stated there are currently Probation Officers on school campuses, and she can be contacted if citizens would like her office to make presentations to educate youth about the juvenile justice system and what the process involves when they break the law.

Ms. Guzman also provided the group with an update on the COPS (California Offender Program Services) Program.  This is a diversion program for first-time only auto theft offenders.  The program continues to see a steady amount of referrals, with 14 referrals for July, 24 for August, 23 for September, 30 for October, and 14 for November.  The program continues to receive both vehicle thefts and vandalism referrals, and the classes are held the first Saturday of each month.  To date, there have been 38 classes held, with 357 offenders completing the program.  Of 167 minors completing the program from April 2002, through November 2004, 47 re-offended. 

In 1999, a task force was formed consisting of business owners, residents, concerned citizens, and other entities of the Midtown area.  The Midtown area is bounded on the north by Harding Way, on the east by the Union Pacific Railroad, on the west by El Dorado Street, and on the south by Miner Avenue.  The goal of this committee was to put together a plan or approach to reclaim the Midtown area.  One of the challenges was the fact that the area had a very high percentage of rental properties.  The group also discovered they had the beginnings of what is now referred to as mixed-use occupancy, with zoning allowing for commercial and retail enterprises next to residential.  In most neighborhoods, this type of  mixed-used occupancy is not welcomed or encouraged.  However, this was one of the features that was used as a marketing tool in Midtown to encourage an increase  in owner occupancy. 

The primary goals were to encourage owner occupancy, promote the work/live concept, and promote the historical significance of the neighborhood.  Another goal was to provide incentives to the public, thereby making it more economically feasible for people to come into the area.  Several subcommittees were formed under the umbrella of the Midtown Advisory Group, including a steering committee (Midtown Magnolia Action Team).  The Residential Revival and Housing subcommittee promoted the live/work/walk/learn type of units.  The Building Incentive Pilot Program (BIPP) was used to revitalize the area through the use of economic incentives.  The Design Center was opened to provide residents of the Midtown with a resource they could utilize when renovating historic properties, and it could also be used by those who wanted to come in and purchase homes in this area. 

The group designed a tri-fold brochure which could be used as a marketing tool to bring both new homeowners and businesses to the area.  It was also used to highlight some of the key features, such as the historical significance of the neighborhood, as well as the churches, schools, and business potential. 

A key component to the success of this project was partnering with other entities in the community, such as PG&E, UOP, Parks & Recreation Department, San Joaquin A+, and others, and also utilizing grant funds whenever possible to offset costs.   

Some of the success stories of this project include an aggressive fundraising effort, which was used to secure the exterior of the Magnolia Mansion.  Also on University Park is Valley Mountain Regional Center, which is close to completion.  Additionally, Grupe has a number of projects on the drawing board right now.  The project has been very successful in changing the perception of the Midtown to a desirable area of town for both business owners and homeowners.

  
Karen Daly explained the citation process to the group, stating the process begins with an incoming complaint for such violations as junk and debris, inoperative vehicles on property, or other blight issues.  After the complaint is received, a case is opened and a Code Enforcement Officer schedules a preliminary inspection within five working days. The Officer takes pictures of the violation, and if it is a minor problem, he will issue a violation warning notice.  If the violations are numerous, he will compile a list.  If the violation involves junk and debris, the citizen is given a minimum of five days to take care of the violation.  If there is a large amount of junk and debris, they may be allotted 15 days.  The property is usually reinspected within two weeks.  If the Code Enforcement Officer believes this is not a situation that is going to be corrected, he checks the box entitled “Intent to Abate” on the notice, which is highlighted in red.  This type of notice is sent to the citizen by both certified and regular mail, and they then have 10 working days to appeal.  If the violation is not corrected by the date noted, the City will hire a contractor to complete the work, at the expense of the property owner.  If the City charges the property owner and he refuses to pay for this service, Code Enforcement clouds the title to the property.

                  Issues for discussion included:

• how many people can live within a residential structure
• how many cars can one residence have
• what is an approved surface, as it pertains to vehicles on a property
• what happens to slum landlords who are repeatedly cited and still refuse to comply

Brice Hammerstein stated we received 462 more calls to the hotline through October 2005 than for the entire 2004 year.  There was a total of 1,562 total calls to the hotline through the end of October.  He requested citizens make it a point to call the Police Department when they see graffiti.  We want to attract new businesses and homeowners to our area, and graffiti makes it more difficult to do this.  Last year, we provided 13 graffiti rewards of $250 each for information that led to  arrests.  This year, with two months remaining, we have already provided 11 rewards. 

/csh